How to make a DIY planter out of a 55-gallon drum

Johnny Ornelas

Staff Editor

noahw / Instructables

Take a walk down an aisle in a furniture store and something becomes instantly clear -- patio furniture is expensive. Instructables user noahw has found a low-cost solution to this problem by utilizing cheap plastic containers to create DIY planters. The results look as professional as anything that would come out of a home supply catalog, and they're surprisingly easy to make.

For his project, noahw wanted to make some planters large enough to fit some fruit trees. What plants will fit in the planters is entirely dependent on the size of plastic container used. With some imagination, you can apply the methods used here to create planters of any size.

To turn the barrel into a planter, holes must be cut in the bottom to let water drain out, and wood slats must be attached to the side. Power tools will help immensely with this endeavor, but they're not an absolute necessity.

When the project is finished, the planters look absolutely stunning. Using alternating colors of wood can help give its body contrast and will make it stand out in a garden.

The beauty of this particular project is that it's easy enough for anyone to do. Other creations, such as this DIY patio planter, require heavy power tools and a basic knowledge of woodworking. It's also a great way to save money -- large wooden planters can cost hundreds of dollars in stores.

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